Stuffing with Chickpea Lentil Pasta & Italian Sausage

I know you are saying “What?! Pasta in stuffing?” To which I say, “Sure, why not?!” And once you taste it, Stuffing with Chickpea Lentil Pasta & Italian sausage is likely to become a traditional side dish with your turkey. And I’ve added all my favorite ingredients in here – lots of veggies, apple, cranberries, pecans, and lovely fresh herbs. You gotta know this is going to wow the fam after they get over their initial shock, ha!

I am a traditionalist when it comes to stuffing but it was recently suggested to me that I create a recipe with Chickapea Pasta instead of the bread and I was very intrigued. I loved the way the spirals soaked up the flavor and knowing this is a healthy option lets you add that extra spoonful to your plate.

I need color and crunch in my food and this recipe has plenty of texture and look at the brightness of those tasty ingredients! Fresh herbs make all the difference in flavor and it includes a generous amount of pan-fried sage.

This is one of those recipes that you can make your own. Adding some raisins, sultanas or currants would be tasty. If you’re a fan of rosemary – go for it. A little pancetta could be fun too. The options are only limited by your imagination.

The recipe suggestion comes from Andrea, the food loving compliance manager at Chickapea Pasta! I started with some of her ingredients and then incorporated my traditional recipe for turkey that you can find here. Thanks, Andrea, I think we’ve got a winner on our hands!

This post is sponsored by Chickapea Pasta and my opinions of this fabulous product are all my own.</>

Stuffing with Chickpea Lentil Pasta & Italian Sausage

Once you taste it, Stuffing with Chickpea Lentil Pasta & Italian sausage is likely to become a traditional side dish with your turkey. And I’ve added all my favorite ingredients in here – lots of veggies, apple, cranberries, pecans, and lovely fresh herbs.

8 ounces Chickapea Pasta spirals

1 pound Italian sausages

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large onion, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

4 large sage leaves, chopped

3/4 cup homemade chicken stock or low sodium chicken broth

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 cup flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

1 apple, chopped; leave skin on if organic

1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup panko or gluten-free bread crumbs

Options: sultanas, raisins or currants

Preheat oven to 350 F

Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onions and celery, and cook over medium heat until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add sage, stir to combine, and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1/2 of the stock, and stir well. Cook for about 5 minutes, until liquid has reduced by half.

Meanwhile, remove casings from sausage, break into crumbly pieces while cooking until brown. Drain any excess fat from pan.

Cook pasta according to directions, rinse and drain immediately. Add to sausage pan and combine. Remove from heat.

Transfer onion mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add sausage/pasta mixture. Add all remaining ingredients, including the remaining stock; mix to combine. You may have to add some more chicken stock according to how moist you want your dressing.

Transfer to a baking dish and spread evenly. Top with bread crumbs. Drizzle a little melted butter on top at this point if desired.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until top is slightly crispy and golden. Remove and serve immediately.

Oven temperatures vary. You’ll want to keep an eye on this the first time you cook it.

Feel free to change up the fresh herbs according to your family’s tastes.

I tend to put very little salt in my food. You may like a little more.

If you make this recipe or any other dishes from Simply Fresh Dinners, please tag me with @simplyfreshdinners and #simplyfreshdinners on Instagram so I can share your creativity with my readers. Cheers!

This is such a beautiful recipe! I love Chickapea Pasta but never would have thought to use it in stuffing. This is one recipe I’ll definitely make!Kristen recently posted…Lemon Herb Butter Roast Chicken

Totally in love with this Robyn! I am definitely making it while I am home with my family next week. And with Chickapea — just makes it that much better! THE FRIED SAGE! It just isn’t Thanksgiving without lots of sage!Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Moroccan Chicken Quinoa Salad

Oh my gosh, Michelle, I am obsessed with pan-fried sage in the colder months. This is the first time I’ve done it with butter and it was so darn good. Can’t wait to hear what your family thinks!Robyn recently posted…Stuffing with Chickpea Lentil Pasta & Italian Sausage

I’m such a fan of a good dressing recipe, Teri, and I was so glad that my recipe seemed to fit perfectly with the pasta. The little spirals soaked up the flavors and every bite was delicious 🙂Robyn recently posted…Stuffing with Chickpea Lentil Pasta & Italian Sausage

I think that’s a great idea, Sarah – with some kale too? I have to do some thinking on that to make it vegetarian. My original dressing recipe is vegetarian and the fresh herbs make it just perfect!Robyn recently posted…Stuffing with Chickpea Lentil Pasta & Italian Sausage

Stuffing brings so many memories to mind for me because my dad apparently makes some BOMB stuffing – however, he is a total LENTIL lover and has never used lentils in his stuffing before – I also know for a fact he’s never used chickpea pasta because I am pretty sure he has NEVER heard of it! LOL! I would be truly curious to hear his thoughts. Ha! I wonder if “the stuffing king” would incorporate it into his next stuffing recipe! 😉

Follow Me!

BRAND NEW E-BOOK!

About Me

Hi! I'm Robyn and I love finding new ways to create dishes with fresh ingredients, low in calories and most of all - Delicious!
I believe it doesn't have to be time consuming or expensive to eat Healthy and I want to convince you of that too!
Click on the blueberries to learn more!